You cannot beat a long weekend in a European capital, especially Geneva! Bordering the alpine region of France, Geneva is an idyllic city break for those who seek culture, nature and adventure. From break taking mountains to high-street shopping, Geneva has it all! And best of all, you can get here cheaply! We booked roundtrip flights to Geneva with easyJet for £30 roundtrip for a weekend break.
Flying Time:
We had an afternoon departure from Newcastle International Airport (NCL) arriving into Geneva late afternoon. The flight was operated by easyJet and was a cheap and great way to start the trip. Tip: head to the aspire lounge at Newcastle Airport for an additional £21 each as this provides you with unlimited hot/cold food, beverages and snacks all in a relaxed atmosphere.
Geneva airport was a bliss to travel through, with free public transport to the city centre. By train, it takes 10-15 mins to arrive into the heart of the city which is very convenient – you will quickly notice the buzz of the city from here!
48 hours in Geneva:
Once we had checked in, we decided to take a tour of the city! First on the list was the Bains des Pâquis which is a free quis after 6PM. Situated on the Lake of Geneva, it has to be your first stop as it is stunning and has so much atmosphere and a beautiful summer’s evening with the sun setting on the lake. You can also grab a bite to eat here, soak in the vibes and watch the locals amuse themselves – it is the place to be!
Secondly, you have to go see the Jet d’Eau (which you can’t miss). It is a 140M high water fountain located on the Lake. Also, have a slow walk around the beaches in this area of the city, the water is so clean and calming – this city really has a mix of a modern day metropolitan city with a relaxing beach side for time where you need to take a break and enjoy the views.
Fianlly, galavanting all afternoon, we decided to grab a bite to eat in the old town. You cannot come to Geneva and not try the fondu and house wine here, it is amazing! We walked to the old town where there are several quaint restaurants. I highly recommend Restaurant Flore where the service was amazing and the food even better! However, I have noticed all across the city, the prices are expensive so be aware when planning your trip.
Now we were ready to see some of the sites! By the time we had finished eating, it was dusk and warm outside which was great to see the city. We walked up to the city’s cathedral which provides you with amazing views of the city. One thing I noticed is how safe and friendly the city feels, with the French, German and Swiss influences all across the place – and it is beautiful!
We stayed at Hotel Tor which was a 10 minute walk from downtown Geneva and offered amazing views of the city, close amenities and an affordable price. Rooms was of a good size and all each room is well equipped with WiFi, safe and a TV.
Apres petit dejeuner, we decided to take the train 15 minutes out of the city to see the United Nations. When you arrive at your hotel, make sure you ask the receptionist for the free travel pass which allows you to travel all across Geneva by public transport for free!
The chair shown above symbolices land bombs that are still planted across the world and reminds us of the difficulties some countries still face as a result of war.
Heading back into the city, we visited St Pierre’s cathedral then walked to reformation wall which remembers the pilgrims who pioneered the church in the city. I love the church and the history it resembles is astonishing! The old buildings and cobbled streets makes the city a delight to visit and it is also so compact so you are never too far away from the main attractions.
The city boarders France and we decided to visit Mount Salève just out of the city – you can get here for free by taking the public bus. Once here, you can take a cable car to the top of the mountain, providing you with amazing views of the city and the surrounding area. We had a glass of wine at the top and took in the breath-taking views, I can highly recommend this!
After our much needed refreshments, we headed back into the city to shop and grab a bite to eat. If shopping is more your thing, then you will not be disappointment with Geneva! With some of the most luxuries brands in the world here, you are sure to rack up the credit card. You will find most of the designer shops on Rue du Rhône.
If you fancy something light to eat and like a great atmosphere, try Bodega 21 which is a tapas bar in the heart of the city. Note that it can be very expensive but worth the vibes!
Note: on Sundays most of the shops are closed and the city is fairly quiet so ensure you do not decide to visit the shops then. Instead, take a briskly walk through the old town and enjoy a coffee at one of the many quirky cafes on Geneva’s backstreets.
Time to say Au Revoir to Geneva! We had a wonderful weekend exploring the city, with amazing foods, beautiful architecture and stunning landscapes, the city really has it all! A weekend also gives the city justices thanks to the fact it is very compact and public transport is free so you can really see the city. Food and drinks are quite expensive here so we went to the local supermarkets to buy lunch and snacks, but if you have the cash then you can’t go wrong with so many amazing restaurants in the city.
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